Spreader for rope-making



w. H. SPENCER. SPREADER FOR ROPE MAK|NG.'

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 16, I919.

Patented June 15, 1920.

I lnvefitor William A Spencer UNITED S AT S PATENT OFF E,

WILLIAM H. SPENCER, 0F ecmxmfmw YORK, ASSIGNOR or ONE-THIRD TojrnAnL ONEILL AND oNE-rnmn T0 WILSON G. s vIITH; BOTH 0F BUFFALO, NEW YORK.

SPREADER FOR ROPE-MAKING.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM H. SrnNoER, a citizen of the United States, residing at 57 Johnson Park, Buffalo, in the' county of Erie, State of New York, have invented a new and useful Spreader for Rope-Making, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to spreader and swivel for rope making. The object is to provide an improved mechanism for use especially in connection with making rope on a hand operated machine.

The invention includes improved formation of the guide channels in the spreader adapted to secure sufficient tension on the strands and thus cause the spreader to operate automatically without the assistance of any auxiliary tension devices. The invention comprises a special formation of the guide channels; that is to say the channel or groove is so formed as to have a curved or substantially circular cross-section at one end, and a substantially V- shaped cross-section, at the other end and merging from one formation to the other about midway its extension. This results in securing a uniform tension on the strands but also an even feed of the strands from the spreader resulting in an even and uniform twist of the strands. The formation of the channel makes the device especially adaptable to strands varying widely in material, gage and grade. For example, it is adapted to weaving wire cables as well as fine silk cords.

The invention also comprises improvement in swivel hook support for cooperating with the spreader in the function of twisting the strands.

'Referring to the trate merely by way of example suitable means for the embodiment of my inven tion Figure 1 is a front elevation of the spreader embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of same.

Fig. 3 is a rear elevation of same.

Fig. 4 is a side elevation in part section of the swivel hook arrangement.

:Fig. 5 is a perspective view of spreader and swivel hook shown in cooperative relationship.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the different views.

The spreader 7 may be made of'a solid Specifieation'of Letters Patent. 7 f une 15, 1920. Applicatien'filed August-16, 1919. Serial Nb 317,878.

drawings which illus wooden block. It is in the form of a frustum and is provided with the longitudinally extending channels 8. These channels are V-shaped at one end, that is with straight walls meeting at a point as at 9. At the other end the channels are curved or substantially semi-circular as at 10. The bottom of the channels merge from the V- shaped formation to the curved formation about midway their extensions. A central hole or channel 11 is provided for a central strand when it is desired to twist the flanking strands 12 thereon.

The V-shaped formation of the channels 8 at the large end of the spreader body 7 serves to grip the strand and retard the movement of the strand therein. The curved formation ofthe channel at the other end of the spreader permits the easy passage of the strand therefrom without undue binding, and permits the spreader body 7 to be forced close up to the twisted portion 13 without undue binding or wear upon the strands. This formation of the channel, V:

shaped at one end to secure the desired ten-.

sion upon the strand, and curved at the bottom at the other end to permit a smooth easy passing. of the strand therefrom results in an extremely constant tension for a wide variation in the character of the strand, and an even and uniform twist of the strands close up to the small end of the spreader.

Cooperating with the spreader it is desirable to have a swivel hook that will neither tilt nor wabble and that will turn easily with heavy strands for example those of a wire cable, and that will be sufliciently sensitive and turn quickly for work on fine strands as for example, in weaving fine silk cords. For this purpose I have provided the hook 14 preferably rigidly secured to the body 15, preferably an elongated hollow cylinder, having the outwardly extending flange 16. Over the body 15 is slipped the ring member 17 having the inwardly extending cooperating flange 18. Between these cooperating flanges 16 and 18 are secured the anti-friction balls 19. The hook member 20 is integral with the rod 21 which is engaged .in oppositely disposed apertures in the ring member 17, and serves to hold the parts in position. The hook member 20 is connected with the tension strap 22 in the usual way.

It will thus be seen that the hook 14 and its supporting body 15 has a long pull from 1. A spreader comprising a tapered body.

provided with longitudinally extending channels having a V-shaped cross-section,

formation at one end and a curved bottom cross-section formation at the other, said curved and V-shaped formations merging between the tWo ends.

2. A spreader for rope twisting comprising a Wooden block in form of a frustum, provided With longitudinally extending channels having a V-shaped cross-section formation at one end and a substantially semi-circular cross-section formation at the other end, said formations merging about midway the two ends of each channel.

\VILLIAM H. SPENCER; 

